Guided by Purpose
Dr. Suresh Joins Vein and Vascular Experts Team With Whole-Person Approach to Care
Even as a little boy, Dr. Adithya Suresh knew he wanted to become a doctor. His uncle, a physician, often visited the family wearing his white coat, and young Adithya was fascinated by the calm confidence and purpose that seemed to follow him. “I knew I wanted to be like him,” he says. “Working with my hands, helping people, doing something that mattered.”
That early sense of direction eventually led him to the highly specialized field of vascular surgery. He describes the specialty with a smile as “physiological plumbing.” Vascular surgeons often reroute blood flow, clear blockages or sew arteries and veins together. It is precise work that requires a steady hand and years of training, but for Dr. Suresh it also offers a sense of creativity. “You are trying to solve a problem in real time. I enjoy that challenge.”
This year, after more than a decade practicing in Tampa Bay, Dr. Suresh joined Vein and Vascular Experts in Lakeland as the third vascular surgeon on staff. The addition marks a significant milestone for the growing practice, which is expanding to meet the needs of Lakeland and the surrounding communities.
A Journey Shaped by Mentorship and Experience
Before relocating to Lakeland, Dr. Suresh spent 11 years in Tampa Bay. As a former partner and co-owner of his previous practice, he says those responsibilities deeply shaped his clinical expertise and leadership style. “I was able to set roots in a community and feel invested in it,” he says. “Caring for people over many years teaches you how to become a better surgeon and a better person.”
His path to vascular surgery began with seven years of intensive training in general surgery and specialized vascular education. During that time, he found a mentor who solidified his calling: Dr. James (Jim) Dennis, professor of surgery and chief of vascular surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville. “He was a technically amazing surgeon and also an incredible human being,” Dr. Suresh says. “He encouraged me to pursue vascular surgery and eventually became a friend. He made a huge impact.”
Finding a New Home in Lakeland
Although he enjoyed his work in Tampa Bay, the decision to relocate came from both professional and personal reasons. Dr. Suresh’s wife is a neurologist at Lakeland Regional Health, and the couple had long considered living and working in the same community.
He also knew Dr. Gus De Jesus, founder and CEO of Vein and Vascular Experts, for nearly a decade. The timing, Suresh explains, simply felt right. For Dr. De Jesus, the feeling was mutual. The practice had seen accelerated growth and needed another experienced vascular surgeon who shared the same philosophy of care. “The writing was on the wall,” Dr. De Jesus explains. “Lakeland is growing. The county is growing. To keep serving people well, we needed to grow with it.”
De Jesus describes the decision to bring on another surgeon as a major commitment, both professionally and personally. “You do not just hire someone and hope it works,” he says. “You look for someone who aligns with your values. I have always regarded Dr. Suresh highly. When the opportunity came, it felt like divine intervention.”
At Vein and Vascular Experts, Dr. Suresh treats the full range of vascular conditions, from arterial disease to complex surgical reconstructions. Two areas especially interest him; one is venous disease, which affects many patients but often goes underdiagnosed. “People live with leg pain or swelling for years,” he says. “Simple procedures can dramatically improve their quality of life.”
He also focuses on dialysis access care. “For many patients, the quality of their access directly affects the quality of their life,” he explains. “Being able to help in that way is very meaningful.”
A Philosophy Rooted in Whole-Person Care
For Dr. Suresh, practicing medicine begins with seeing the whole person, and he approaches his work with a holistic mindset. He believes vascular disease cannot be separated from the rest of a person’s life. “You cannot focus on just one thing,” he says. “Stress, support systems, lifestyle, mental health, fears and goals. All of that matters.”
He hopes to bring that perspective to Lakeland. “I genuinely care about people,” he says. “My job is not to tell patients what they want to hear. It is to guide them toward the right decision for their health.”
For Dr. De Jesus, the addition of a third surgeon also allows the practice to build more robust systems and take on more complex surgeries while maintaining a warm, patient-centered environment. He views the moment as the next step in an evolving story. “The unknown fuels me,” he says. “We are growing, we are helping people and we have a strong team. When someone walks through our doors, the healing starts immediately. That is what matters.”
For Lakeland, the arrival of Dr. Suresh represents expanded access to specialized vascular care. For the practice, it marks the beginning of a promising new chapter. And for Dr. Suresh, it is a return to what inspired him as a child. “I feel lucky,” he says. “I get to do work I love and care for a community I believe in.”
“You cannot focus on just one thing,” he says. “Stress, support systems, lifestyle, mental health, fears and goals. All of that matters.”